G20 summit: PM Narendra Modi interacts with US President Joe Biden

The topic of conversation between Modi and Biden was not known immediately (Photo credit - PM Modi's X handle)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefly interacted with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the 19th G20 Summit in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro that started on November 18, in their first exchanges following the American presidential election.

It was not immediately known what transpired between Modi and Biden.

"With @POTUS Joe Biden at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Always a delight to meet him," Modi posted on 'X' with a photo of the interaction.

In the photo, Modi and Biden were seen holding each other's hands and engaged in a discussion.

There is no clarity yet on a bilateral meeting between Modi and Biden on the margins of the G20 summit in this Brazilian city.

If there are no structured talks between the two leaders on the margin of the G20 summit, then the brief encounter could be their last one-on-one interaction before Biden hands over the US presidency to Republican leader Donald Trump next month.

In the US presidential election held on November 5, 78-year-old Trump pulled off an incredible comeback, handing a crushing defeat to Democratic Party nominee Kamala Harris.

Trump's inauguration is scheduled for January 20 at the White House in Washington DC.

Modi began his visit to Brazil after concluding a two-day trip to Nigeria.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Rio de Janeiro on November 18 to participate in the summit, marking the second leg of his three-nation tour. The summit, which will be held on November 18-19, is expected to bring together world leaders, including Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, for discussions on global economic and geopolitical issues.

The G20 summit is expected to deliberate on pressing global issues such as addressing poverty, hunger and combating climate change.

The leaders of the influential grouping are also expected to deliberate on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the situation in Gaza.

(With PTI inputs)